60

Hours Researched

16.2 million

Readers

3,276

Shots Hit

176,904

Data Points

OUR JOB IS YOUR GAME

What characteristics define the best performing super game-improvement iron?

Is it distance? Accuracy? Control? A little added forgiveness? We’ve found that it’s a combination of all of the above, and the best way to summarize that is through a system based on Mark Broadie’s Strokes Gained Methodology.

To that end, we’ve changed things up a bit since our Most Wanted Players Iron test. We still leveraged our testing facility in Virginia to deliver the most comprehensive, unbiased Super Game-Improvement Iron Test in the world, but we’ve improved our metrics.If you’re in the market for new irons in 2017, this is for you.

To determine this year’s rankings, we applied Strokes Gained methodology to long, middle, and short irons. We’ve provided the Strokes Gained values for each iron in our table below. As we have in the past, we have also provided standard launch monitor metrics, along with our Radial Distance and Shot Area calculations.

DEFINING THE SUPER GAME-IMPROVEMENT CATEGORY

Six of the top super game-improvement irons were put to the test; the clubs tested are designed purely for distance and forgiveness. The target handicap for this iron category starts at the mid-high single digits and goes up from there.

The target demographic for these clubs is the golfer who’s looking for a little extra help. For some, that means helping regain some distance lost over the years. For others, it means a bit of added forgiveness on mishits. For others, it’s helping to shoot lower scores and enjoying the game a bit more.

ADVANCED GOLF ANALYTICS

Data matters. And when it comes to finding the right equipment, it’s critical. We help solve this by applying the largest connected set of head-to-head data to tackle one of golf’s biggest challenges.

All testing was conducted inside our fully independent test facility located in Virginia. All testers used Bridgestone B330-RX golf ballsfor consistency and to reduce test variables. All ball data was collected using the world’s most trusted launch monitor, Foresight Sports. All head data was captured using the Foresight’s HMT.

SHOTS HIT: 3,276

DATA POINTS: 176,904

TIME: 60 hours

TESTERS: 20

HANDICAP RANGE: 2.4 – 18

AGE RANGE: 23 – 79

DRIVER SWING SPEED RANGE: 70-100 mph

IRONS TESTED: Three irons, a short, middle, and long iron from each set

RESULTS AND RANKINGS

Our rankings aren’t determined inside a conference room. We don’t have a panel, and there are no votes. The launch monitor is the one and only judge. For our 2017 Most Wanted Super Game-Improvement Iron test, we collected a standard set of launch monitor metrics (ball speed, launch angle, spin rates, distance, etc.).

Using that data, we calculated a Strokes Gained average each club. Note that because Strokes Gained values are derived from PGA Tour data, it’s normal and expected that amateur averages will show negative Strokes Gained values. What’s important isn’t the absolute number, but rather how the numbers compare from club to club.